This Is Getting Silly!

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34072201
800+ is too many, scrap the lot and have 100 elected, end of.

[mikey4444]

I still don't understand why there are more Members of the HOL than there are Members of the HOC !

Can somebody please explain this to me ?

In addition...what on earth do they all do ever day ?

[tonyav]

That ain't gonna happen TTT (although I agree with you ), we all know it's another gravy train for ex ministers and senior MP,s.

[ToraToraTora]

you know why mikey, history! hereditary peers + they add new ones all the time and they don't die off quickly enough, QED 826 of the g1ts!

[mikey4444]

Come the revolution TTT ..... !

[ToraToraTora]

yes Tony,sadly, it's the politicians retirement home, only the tiddly winks have more than us now!

[Canary42]

What happened to Austerity, and we're all in it together ?

[VHG]

>>what on earth do they all do ever day ?

They are not like MPs, it is not a "full time job", they only visit HOL when they are interested in a particular piece of legislation (or they are short of money !!).

In fact some Lords NEVER visit the HOL.

[Old_Geezer]

It initially seems silly but that is a large group of experience to draw from. The big issue is how many are drawing expenses etc. and not providing the benefits they should. I'm not keen on the present system, I'd prefer a fully elected upper chamber rather than an unelected elite, and the ability to draw on a group of expertise as needed. But so long as they contribute whilst there, not such a big deal.

[SeaJayPea]

Problem with an elected second chamber is that the only people who would stand would be yet more bloody politicians. And they would be the ones who've failed to get elected to the Commons. So, in time, it would fill up with not just politicians, but failed politicians into the bargain.

At least at the moment there are some people in there, NOT the hereditary peers, who've actually been successful at something other than climbing the greasy pole. I'm on about businessmen and women, successful writers, artists, sportspeople and the like.

[ToraToraTora]

You've convinced me SeaJayPee, what if the all the members of AB made up the HOL?

[Old_Geezer]

You want those who did well out of the status quo ? Sounds a recipe for stagnation. Why would the public vote for failures ? Or a failed political candidate embarrass themselves by failing again ?

[jno]

large group of experience to draw on, OG? Most of them are politicians, and mainly failed ones at that. I don't mind people like Dame Knickers being called up; at least she's done something involving real life. But people like Lord Moat are just experienced scroungers.

[Old_Geezer]

That's why elected members are preferable, rather than relying on cronyism. Ideally only those who would add value, possibly due to other life-experiences should be there. If there were an elected body they could be proven good decision makers who weigh up the facts and know right from wrong, but a pool of expertise in related fields is very useful too.

[Svejk]

Strange that the odious, slippery, hypocritical creep, Peter Hain, hasn't got a mention in any of these HoL threads.
A la Lords Kinnock and Prescott, he has constantly railed against the HoL until it became another pocket-lining opportunity for him.

[ToraToraTora]

what about if they are elected but only independents can stand?

[Old_Geezer]

Something I've advocated for ages. Not a fan of the party system.